Kid Rock, again, keeps fans in suspense about political aspirations

After teasing fans about a political announcement, Kid Rock still has not officially entered the race for U.S. Senate.

Author:
Kathleen Gray, Detroit Free Press Lansing Bureau , WZZM

Published:
11:22 PM EDT September 12, 2017

Updated:
12:48 PM EDT September 13, 2017

It was the hometown, adoring crowd ready to ratify anything Kid Rock had to say as he opened up Little Caesars Arena with a rollicking concert Tuesday night.

But once again, a supposed "announcement" of political significance — say an official throwing of the proverbial hat into the ring for the U.S. Senate seat held by Debbie Stabenow — didn't happen.

A week before Tuesday's concert, the publicists for Kid Rock — whose real name is Robert Ritchie — sent political reporters another tease.

"On this historic opening night, Kid Rock will not only give patrons a performance to remember, but following the first song, he will be giving his fans exclusive insight on his political views and aspirations for Michigan while on stage."

But there was no candidacy announcement, despite Kid Rock hinting for the last seven weeks that he was headed in that direction.

Instead, he gave another profane and blistering speech Tuesday night, similar to the one he delivered in Grand Rapids last week where he, with a healthy dose of F-bombs and other prime curse words, decried single mothers on welfare, deadbeat dads and people who sit or "take a knee" during the playing of the "Star-Spangled Banner."

He also criticized Nazis, bigots and the Ku Klux Klan.

On Tuesday, the same targets came in for his blistering rhetoric.

He also obliquely addressed the controversy surrounding black activists critical of his act.

“I do believe we are all created equal. I’ll say it once and say it again, I love black people. And I love white people, too,” he said. “But neither as much as I love red white and blue.”

Kid Rock tweeted late this afternoon to "Stay tuned, I will have a major announcement in the near future."

He started teasing a run for office in mid-July, creating a website — Kid Rock for US Senate — and has been slamming the media, critics and Common Cause, which has filed a complaint against the rock star for not filing campaign finance reports ever since.

If he did actually get into the race, he would face a slew of Republican candidates who have entered the race, including Bloomfield Hills businesswoman Lena Epstein, former Michigan State Supreme Court Justice Robert Young, Grosse Pointe businessman Sandy Pensler and John James, a Detroit businessman and Iraq War veteran. The winner of the GOP primary would face incumbent U.S. Sen. Stabenow, D-Mich.

Sprinkled throughout the crowd Tuesday were fans wearing the "Kid Rock for Senate 2018" T-shirts.

Amy Blake of Livonia proudly shows her Kid Rock T-shirt on Woodward Ave. before his performance at the Little Caesars Arena in Detroit on Tuesday Sept. 12, 2017.

Chris Huyck of Riverview chose this particular fashion statement because he wants the star to run "because i'm a f---ing American," he said.

Huyck's friend Kelsey Smith of Riverview, was a little more judicious. She has the T-shirt, but chose to leave it at home because she didn't want any trouble with protesters.

"We just want someone newer in office," she said. "Someone who is hip to what people want."

Kid Rock did keep at least one of his political promises. Two voter registration tables were set up and staffed inside the arena, but no one was waiting to register.

His latest political screed on Monday morning took on critics, including the Detroit Free Press editorial page, for saying that it was an insult to Detroiters for the owners of Little Caesars Arena to open the new venue with such a controversial figure.